It’s that time when everyone looks back at last year, looks forward to the new one, and begin to make plans, set goals, and declare resolutions for the year. It’s just natural. We all do it. I fell into a bit of a funk about 18 months ago and I think it caused me to go through last year on auto-pilot for a bit. Last year was good, but I didn’t quite engage as much as usual. I want this year to different. We always want the new year to be better than the last one, right?
As I look forward to what I want to accomplish this year, I could make several resolutions for myself. “I will lose 25lbs.” ” I will spend more time with my family.” “I will schedule my time better.” I could keep going, but we have heard them all. This year, I have decided not to set new year resolutions. I am going to live my life according to my core values. What are core values? They are fundamental beliefs, or guiding principles, we all follow in life. We all know our core values in our heart, some of us have taken time to define the ones most important to us. Hopefully, my main core values are reflected in how I live my life, and on this site: Faith, Family, Fun, and Service.
How will living my life according to my core values differ from making resolutions? I tend to make resolutions concerning things I think I need to do (lose weight/exercise/get in better shape), instead of what I want to do, and just like a poorly built wall, things quickly start falling apart. When I focus on my core values, I will concentrate on things that align with them. It causes me to realize I won’t be able to maximize my time with my family unless I take care of my health. That will give me the motivation to make necessary changes in my lifestyle. I am much more likely to do what I need to do when I know why I need to do it.
Heavenly Father, please help me to live my life in way that reflects my core values you have revealed to me. More importantly, Lord, help me live a life that will bring honor and glory to You.
How about you? Have you defined your core values? What are they? How will focusing on them change your day-to-day? Feel free to share in the comment area.
Comments
I needed that, thank you! I try to refocus on my core goals every New Years. Sometimes by the end of the year I’m tired and forget what I working on with all the holiday hype.